If this year isn’t the driest on record for the Vineyard, it is certainly one of the driest, according to meteorologists. So far the Vineyard has received just over eight inches of precipitation through Tuesday, about half its yearly average over the same time period.

The unusual conditions have meant an elevated risk of brush and other fires, and the Vineyard has been part of a fire weather advisory for the region for much of the past few weeks.

Bomb-making materials were discovered this week in a storage facility near the airport, according to Edgartown police.

The department is seeking an arrest warrant for Jobian Kerr, 31, on charges of possessing explosive substances or materials, Det. Sgt. Christopher Dolby said in a press release.

According to the police, officers seized “a number” of hazardous bomb-making materials from two storage units at Airport Ministorage of Martha’s Vineyard while executing search warrants.

When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers, peer pressure and experimentation frequently are cited as contributors. But according to one expert, a look at adolescent brains shows why teens are particularly affected by drug and alcohol use.

To speak more about what’s going on in teenagers’ heads — and how it affects things like substance addiction — Dr. Traci L. Brooks is coming to the Vineyard next week for three presentations about “The Adolescent Brain” and changes that occur as the brain matures.

It’s Sheepapalooza time again. On Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Farm Institute is reveling in all things sheepie.

Morning chores begin at 9 a.m., followed by sheep shearing, fiber arts, lunch (play with sheep, eat sheep), farm tours and dog herding demonstrations.

The event takes place rain or shine. Cost is $10 per family, or $5 per individual.

For more details, visit farminstitute.org or call 508-627-7007.

The Martha’s Vineyard Donors Collaborative will host a three-class grant writing and research workshop at the Oak Bluffs Library’s Martha’s Vineyard Nonprofit Resource Center on April 23 and 24. The workshop includes hands-on training on the Foundation Center’s online directory of over 100,000 funders, which is available free of charge at the Resource Center.

Today is the deadline for Island students, grades one through eight, to enter the Mom of the Year essay writing contest. The contest, in conjunction with the Edgartown Board of Trade and Pink and Green Weekend, will award three winning prizes—one each in grades one to three, four to six and seven to eight. The winning essays will be recognized and read at the Harbor View Hotel’s Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 13, at 11 a.m.